6 saved from sinking boat on Portage River

CLEVELAND – The Coast Guard has rescued six people from the Portage River near Port Clinton after a charter vessel began taking on water.

A member of a Rescue Marine Salvage Company notified the Coast Guard on Thursday afternoon that the charter boat was in distress. A Coast Guard rescue boat arrived to find the charter vessel listing to the port side and the engine compartment flooded.

Five of the six onboard were removed to the rescue boat and taken to shore. The charter's owner stayed onboard while a commercial salvage pumped the water out. The source of the leak was determined to be a decaying raw water hose.

The Coast Guard says the incident is a reminder the harsh winter has taken its toll on boating equipment.

"It has been a long winter and we know everyone is itching to get back on the water," said Mike Baron, the recreational boating safety specialist with the Coast Guard 9th District in Cleveland. "Make sure you check your entire boat and its gear before leaving the dock. Have a vessel safety check done by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron."